Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-06-17
CHAPTER Xxx.

Then followed a moment OF the most pain.
full silence that ever endured. 1t was broken
by Ayesha, who addressed herself TO Leo.
NAY, now, my lord andguest, p she said, in
her softest tones, which yet had the ring of
steel about them, "look not so bashful. Surely
the sight was pretty one-the leopard and
the lionlp
sob, hang 1t ALI" said Leo, in English.
sand thou, Ustane," she went on. surely I
should have passed thee by had not tho light
fallen on the white across thy hair. Well
WE'LL the dance is done-see, the tapeis have
burned down, and all things end in darkness
and in ashes. So thou thoughtest IL a fit
time for love, Ustane, my servant-and /,
dreaming not that could be disobeyed,
thought thee already far away.n
"Play not with me, !" moaned the wretched
woman; ''slay me, and let there be nm end. y
"Nay, whyl 1t is not well to 90 SO swift
from the hot lips of love down to the cold
mouth Of the grave and she made motion
to the mutes, who instantly stepped up and
caught the girl by either arm. With an oath
Leo sprung upon the nearest, and hurled him
to the ground, and then stood over him with
his face set and his fist ready
Again Ayesha laughed ut was well
thrown, my guest; thou hast strong arm for
one who so late was sick. But now out of
thy courtesy pray theo let that man live
and do my bidding. He shall not harm the
girl; the night air grows chill, and / would
welcome her in mine own place. Surely shs
whom thou dost favor shall be favored OF me
also.n
took Leo by the arm, and pulled him from
the PROSTATE mute, and he, half bewildered,
obeyed the pressure. Then we all set out for
the cave across the plateau where a great pile
Of white human ashes was gil that remained
OF the fire that had lit tho dancing, for the
dancers had vanished.
In due course we gained Ayesha's boudoir-
all too soon it seemed to me, having sad pre-
sage OF what was to come lying heavy ON my
heart.
Ayesha seated herself upon her cushions,
and having dismissed Job and Billali, by
signs bade tho mutes tend the lamps and re-
tire, all save ono girl, who was her favorite
personal attendant. We three remained
standing, the unfortunate Ustane little to
the left of the rest of us.
snow, o Holly Ayesha began, chow
came it that thou who didst hear my words
bidding this evil doern-nnd she pointed to
Ustane-"to go from hence-thou at whose
prayer did weakly spare her life-how came
It, l say, that thou vast a sharer in what 1
saw tonight Answer, and for thine own
sake, say, speak the truth. for 1 am not
minded to hear lies upon this matter"
ut was by accident, o queen answered.
IL knew naught Of IT,"
II do believe thee, o Holly.p she
answered, coldly; "and well 1t is for thee that
| do. Then does all the guilt rest upon her. y
u don't see any particular guilt about it,p
broke in Leo. "She Is not anybody else's
wife, and 1t appears that she has married mo
according to the custom Of this awful place,
SO who is the worses Anyway, madame he
went OH, "whatever she has done, l have
done, too, SO II she is TO be punished, let mo
be punished also; and tell thee" he went on,
working himself up into fury, @that II thou
biddest ono of those deaf and dumb villains TO
touch her again l viii tear him to pieces.p
And he looked as though he meant It.
Ayesha listened in icy silence, and made no
remark. When he had finished, however she
addressed Ustane
Hast thou aught to say, womanl Thou
| silly straw. tvu feather, who didst think to
font toward Shy passions petty ends. even
against the 6, eat wind of my will! Tell me.
for l fain would understand. WHY didst
thou this thingf'
And then think saw the most tremen-
dops exhibition or moral courage and In.
trepidity that It Is possible to conceive For
the poor doomed girl, knowing what she had
to expect at tho hands Of hor terrible queen.
knowing, too, from bitter experience, how
great was her power, yet gathered herself
together, and out Of tho very depths OF de-
SPAR found materials to defy her
II did it, o queen," she answered, drawing
herself up to tho full Of her stately height and
throwing back the panther skin Off her head.
"because my love is stronger than the grave.
did 1t because my life without this man
whom my heart chose would DO but living
death. Therefore did risk my life; and
now that l know that II Is forfeit TO thine
anger yet am / glad that did risk IL, and
pay it away in the rlsking, ny, because ho
embraced me once and told me that hc yet
loved me-"
Hero Ayesha half rose from hor couch and
then sunk down ugnin.
II have no Inagic,D went on Ustanc, her
rich voice ringing strong and full, aand am
not queen, nor do | live forever, but a
womanis heart Is heavy to sink through
waters, however deep, O queen. And a
woman's Dyes nro quick to see, even through
thy veil, o queen.
listen; know IL; thou dost love this man
uyself. and therefore wouldst thou dNs!roy
me who stand across thy path. Ay, I dio-I
dio and go into the darkness, nor know
whittier leo. But this know. There Is a